Soccer cleat with leg protective structure

ABSTRACT

An assembly is provided including a cleated shoe and a leg protective structure. The leg protective structure has a lower end which is fixed to the shoe through a flexible junction. The leg protective structure is configured as a sock and/or a shin guard. In various embodiments different opening and closure mechanisms are disclosed for the leg protective structure and different configurations for positioning of shin guard elements and flexible tubular layers. The leg protective structure can thus be worn upon a foot and leg without a sock or over a sock upon a foot and leg, and the leg protective structure provides the integrated function of a shin guard or to work along with a separately provided shin guard.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under Title 35, United States Code§119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/862,365 filed on Aug. 5,2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates to soccer cleats which include a cleatedshoe portion and also a leg protective structure extending up from theshoe portion and formed integrally with the shoe portion. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to soccer cleats which also includea leg protective structure which functions at least partially as a sockand/or a shin guard as well.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soccer is a sport which is characterized by requiring a very smallamount of equipment, and in some instances only requiring a soccer balland a field or other playing area. To maximize the playing experience,soccer players benefit from having some equipment on their feet and legs(beneath the knee).

Most typically, two separate items of equipment are worn by a soccerplayer including a cleated shoe and a shin guard. After putting on theseitems, a player typically next dons a sock. Often this sock is a highsock which extends up close to the knee. The cleated shoe is worn on thefoot of the wearer outside of the lower portion of the sock. The cleatedshoe has a foot enclosing main portion with a sole having cleatsextending downwardly therefrom. These cleats are typically built intothe sole, but can in some instances be removable.

Shin guards come in a variety of different styles and reside over afront side of the wearer's leg. A typical shin guard has a hard forwardsurface and a padded rearward surface which is placed adjacent theforward side of the wearer's leg. Such shin guards can be placed insideof the socks of the wearer or can be placed outside the socks of thewearer and then taped in place or suspended in place with straps. Inmany soccer leagues rules require that the shin guard be covered by somestructure such as an outer sock or tape. Some shin guards come withelastic straps or adjustable straps or sleeves which help to hold theshin guard in place. Other shin guards are built into or removablyattached, such as by hook and loop fasteners, to an ankle sleeve thatelastically holds to the ankle and has sleeve portions extending up ontothe leg.

As one can see, the initial simplicity of the gear associated withsoccer can in some instances mutate into significant complexity,especially for young children which have some difficulty in keepingmultiple separate gear items together and some difficulty in donning anddoffing footwear. In particular, children often have difficulty keepingtrack of two socks, two shoes and two shin guards (and possibly also twoankle sleeves to which the shin guards attach). The consequences oflosing one of these items while traveling to a soccer game location orat the soccer game location itself can involve the child being preventedfrom playing. Even when all of these six (or eight) separate items areeffectively collected and carried to the soccer game location, the notinsignificant task of having the child don two shin guards, two socks,followed by two shoes and getting the shoes properly tightened takes asignificant amount of time and effort. For younger children, thisrequires adult assistance. In other instances, the child experiencessignificant delay in getting the gear properly attached or plays withequipment improperly installed. Removal of this gear also typicallyrequires adult assistance for young children.

Furthermore, it is important that shin guards be positioned preciselywhere required for optimal comfort and performance. The shin guardprimarily serves to protect the shin of the wearer. Because this regionabove the foot of the wearer is also a location where a ball is oftenstruck, the accuracy and force behind a kick is influenced by theposition of the shin guard as well. Thus, it is important that the shinguard not only be positioned in the same location in a preciserepeatable fashion, but also that this position be carefully selectedfor optimal protection of the wearer and performance.

Often children (and even adults) are not entirely familiar with the verybest position for the shin guard for optimal comfort, protection andperformance. Also, shin guards which are too large or too small oftenget improperly matched with the shoes and other gear, resulting in anundesirable configuration. Even when individuals are highly knowledgablein the proper sizing and positioning of shin guards, a somewhatcumbersome and time consuming process must be repeated every time theshin guards are attached to the legs of the wearer, so that this optimalposition can be achieved each time the soccer gear is to be donned.Accordingly, a need exists for a soccer cleat which includes a shinguard and/or sock as an integral unit to simplify the overall equipmentstructure and to optimize protection, performance and comfort associatedwith this equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With this invention a soccer cleat is provided which includes a legprotective structure integrally formed with the soccer cleat so that theoverall structure covers both the foot and leg of a wearer. The cleatincludes a shoe which generally extends from a heel to a toe andincludes a sole on a lower surface thereof. Cleats extend down from thesole of the shoe or from a structure affixed to an underside of the soleof the shoe. The shoe (or boot) includes ankle support adjacent to theheel to provide protection for at least lower portions of the ankle ofthe wearer. The shoe is configured to be openable and closable on anupper portion thereof somewhat to facilitate passage of a wearer's footinto and out of the shoe. This closure structure can be in the form oflaces interacting with eyelets on the upper surface of the shoe or canbe in the form of hook and loop fastener straps which interact togetherto open and close the upper portion of the shoe somewhat. As anotheralternative, upper portions of the shoe can merely be formed ofsufficiently elastic material to allow a foot to be slid thereinto andstill providing a sufficient retaining function.

The leg protective structure extends up from the shoe (or boot) to coverat least portions of the leg of the wearer. This leg protectivestructure extends from a lower end adjacent the shoe to an upper endopposite the lower end. A flexible junction is provided between thelower end of the leg protective structure and the shoe. This flexiblejunction preferably features flexible fabrics which can also includesome degree of elasticity, so that the leg protective structure issecurely joined to the shoe, but in a manner which accommodates theflexing of the wearer's foot relative to the wearer's leg through theankle joint.

The flexible junction can include a seam joining the lower end of theleg protective structure to the shoe or can be seamless with fabric orother flexible materials extending continuously from at least portionsof the leg protective structure at the lower end thereof into portionsof the shoe. The flexible junction can be continuous, completelycircumscribing the lower end of the leg protective structure or can bediscontinuous and only provide attachment between the leg protectivestructure and the shoe at portions thereof. For instance, in oneembodiment the flexible junction could be in the form of stirrup typeflexible straps on lateral sides of the leg protective structure withforward and rearward locations left open, or filled with flexiblematerial having a greater flexibility and/or a greater elasticity thanmore stiff stirrup portions on lateral sides of this flexible junction.

The leg protective structure can provide different functionalcharacteristics in various embodiments of this invention. Thus, the legprotective structure can function like a sock and/or like a shin guard.In particular, in one embodiment the leg protective structure isprimarily a tubular sock-like structure extending up from the shoe. Ashin guard element can be affixed to this sock-like structurepermanently in a built-in fashion, either on an exterior of thesock-like structure of embedded within an interior of the sock-likestructure, or can be removable relative to the sock-like structure. Forinstance, the shin guard could reside within a pouch provided within aninterior of the sock-like structure for this purpose. Alternatively, theshin guard could be separately provided and attached to an outside ofthe sock-like structure.

In another embodiment the leg protective structure is more like a shinguard. In such an embodiment a wearer would typically wear a separatesock underneath the shin guard-like structure. The shin guard-likestructure would still have at least one leg surrounding flexible tubularlayer and shin guard elements would be built into such a shin guard-likestructure either embedded within or attached to an interior of the shinguard-like structure or at least partially on an exterior of the shinguard-like structure.

In other embodiments the leg protective structure has both thecharacteristics of a sock and the characteristics of a shin guard withat least one interior flexible tubular layer as well as shin guardelements, all integrally formed together into the leg protectivestructure extending up from the shoe.

To hold the leg protective structure of the overall assembly to the legand to facilitate conveniently donning and doffing the entire structure,either directly to a foot and leg of a wearer or over a sock of awearer, two general configurations are disclosed in various embodiments.In a first configuration the materials forming the leg protectivestructure exhibit sufficient flexibility and elasticity that the wearerslides the foot into an opening at the upper end of the leg protectivestructure and continues to move the foot downward through the legprotective structure until the foot passes into the shoe. The shoe caneither merely have elasticity characteristics which allow the foot topass entirely down into the shoe, or the shoe can include laces, hookand loop fastener straps, or other adjustable fasteners. These caninitially be loosened to facilitate foot passage into the shoe portion,and then later tightened to hold the shoe securely onto the foot.

In a second configuration, the leg protective structure can be openedand closed to facilitate passage of the foot and leg of the wearerthereinto. In one such embodiment a substantially vertical zipperclosure is provided extending along at least a portion of the legprotective structure between the lower end and the upper end. Thiszipper closure can be adjusted between an open and a closedconfiguration. When in an open configuration the leg protectivestructure is opened and the foot and leg of the wearer can beconveniently placed thereinto. The zipper closure can then be adjustedto a closed configuration to securely hold the leg protective structureon the wearer.

As an alternative to the zipper closure, a hook and loop closure, suchas that provided under the trademark VELCRO provided by VelcroIndustries B.V. of the Netherlands, can be provided with a forward flapand a rearward flap containing complemental portions of a hook and loopfastener thereon. These flaps can be separated from each other to putthe leg protective structure in an open configuration and then after thefoot and leg of the wearer have been placed into the shoe and legprotective structure, the flaps can be brought together and secured toeach other to hold the shoe and leg protective structure securely ontothe foot and leg of the wearer.

Other fasteners besides hook and loop fasteners could alternatively beprovided to hold the forward and rearward flaps together, includingbuttons, hooks, laces or other fasteners. These flaps and the openingtherebetween are preferably oriented spaced away from the front side ofthe leg protective structure so that they do not affect performance whenkicking a soccer ball, and interfere less with the location where theshin guard would be either incorporated into the leg protectivestructure or attached separately.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide legand foot wear for playing soccer which incorporate elements of a cleatedshoe as well as sock and/or shin guard elements.

Another object of the present invention is to simplify the ability ofsoccer players to keep their gear together, especially for children.

Another object of the present invention is to provide soccer gear forfeet and legs of a wearer which can be rapidly and easily donned anddoffed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide maximumprotection, performance and comfort for feet and legs of soccer players.

Another object of the present invention is to provide foot and legsoccer gear which is easy to put on and take off.

Another object of the present invention is to provide foot and legsoccer gear which has attached elements so that individual elements arehard to misplace.

Another object of the present invention is to provide soccer foot andleg gear which is stylish, interactive and customizable to enhance thesoccer experience.

Another object of the present invention is to provide foot and legsoccer gear which is either free of shoelaces or has un-loosenabledecorative laces, so that the nuisance and hazard of untied shoelaces isavoided.

Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent froma careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims anddetailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a soccer cleat and leg protectivestructure assembly according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a variation of that which is shown inFIG. 1, shown upon a leg of a wearer and with a sock worn between theleg of the wearer and the assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 1 with theassembly worn on a leg of a wearer without a sock.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 1 with ashin guard removable element and associated sleeve shown worn over theassembly.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative assembly to that which isshown in FIG. 1, featuring a zipper closure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 5 shown on aleg and worn over a sock.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 5 worn upona leg and without a sock.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 5, depictingthe assembly worn on a leg and in a variation where a seam is interposedbetween a leg protective structure and a soccer cleat portion of theassembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second alternative assembly to thatwhich is shown in FIG. 1 with modifications to the shoe portion and tothe leg protective structure including a hook and loop closure featurefor the leg protective structure and an interior pouch for removableplacement of a shin guard element.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 9 with thehook and loop closure shown in an open configuration.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of that which is shown in FIG.9, illustrating further details of the shin guard supporting pouch on afront side of the leg protective structure thereof.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of that which is shown inFIG. 9, showing the shin guard element in the process of being insertedinto or taken out of the pouch in the leg protective structure thereof.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further alternative assembly of thatwhich is shown in FIG. 9, featuring a cut out rear portion and shinguard element fixed within an interior of a leg protective structurethereof.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 13, shownupon a leg and over a sock of a wearer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals representlike parts throughout the various drawing figures (or structures closelyrelated thereto), reference numeral 10 is directed to a soccer cleatwith leg protective structure assembly according to an exemplaryembodiment (FIG. 1). Variations on this assembly 10 include an alternateassembly 60 (FIG. 5), a second alternative assembly 80 (FIG. 9) and athird alternative assembly 110 (FIG. 13). The assemblies 10, 60, 80, 110reside over a foot and leg L of a wearer to provide convenience,comfort, protection and performance for the soccer player.

In essence, and with particular reference to FIG. 1, basic details ofthe assembly 10 are described, according to this exemplary embodiment.The assembly 10 includes a shoe 20 on a lower portion of the assembly10. This shoe 20 performs to cover and support a foot of the wearer.Cleats 30 extend downward from the shoe 20. A leg protective structure40 extends up from the shoe 20. This leg protective structure 40functions as a sock and/or shin guard affixed to the shoe 20 andsurrounding at least portions of the leg L of the wearer above the shoe20.

A flexible junction 42 is provided between the leg protective structure40 and the shoe 20 to hold the leg protective structure 40 to the shoe20 and also facilitate flexible movement of the foot relative to the legL about the ankle joint. This flexible junction 42 can include a seam 43(FIGS. 8 and 14) joining the leg protective structure 40 to the shoe 20or can be seamless with continuous fabric extending between the shoe 20and the leg protective structure 40, but still functioning as theflexible junction 42.

A shin guard element 50 can be incorporated into the leg protectivestructure 40 (FIGS. 2 and 3) either on an exterior of the leg protectivestructure 40 (FIG. 2) or within an interior of the leg protectivestructure 40 (FIG. 3). As an alternative, the shin guard element 50 canbe removably placed over the leg protective structure 40 as a separateunit (FIG. 4). The assembly 10 is configured in this embodiment to havethe leg protective structure 40 exhibit sufficient elasticity to allow afoot and leg of a wearer to merely be slipped down into the legprotective structure 40 and into the shoe 20. In alternativeembodiments, closure systems, such as a zipper closure 70 (FIG. 5) or ahook and loop closure 90 (FIG. 9) can be provided to open and close theleg protective structure 40 for donning and doffing of the assembly 10or alternative assemblies 60, 80 (FIGS. 5 and 9).

More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-4, specificdetails of the assembly 10 are described according to this exemplaryembodiment. The assembly 10 is a single assembly having a shoe 20 as aportion thereof and a leg protective structure 40 as a portion thereof.The shoe 20 and leg protective structure 40 are fixed together at aflexible junction 42 to provide the single assembly 10. The shoe 20 hasa structure similar to that of other soccer cleats. In particular, theshoe 20 includes a sole 22 on a lower portion thereof. The shoe 20extends from a heel 28 to a toe 29. Ankle support 26 is provided abovethe heel 28.

An open upper of the shoe 20 is adjustably positionable to a tighter orlooser configuration by interaction of laces 24 to tighten or loosen theupper onto a foot of a wearer in one embodiment, but most preferably theleg protective structure 40 helps to hold the assembly 10 on thewearer's foot and leg so that the laces 24 can be merely decorative andun-loosenable or be elastic to help hold the foot, but not need tying,or the laces 24 can be omitted. As an alternative to laces 24, velcrostraps 25 (FIGS. 9, 10, 13 and 14) or other closure systems can beutilized. In one embodiment, a laces cover 23 (FIG. 8) overlies thelaces 24. Cleats 30 extend downward from the sole 22 to facilitateengagement into turf and to enhance traction for the shoe 20. The cleats30 can be removably attachable to the sole 22 or permanently fixed tothe sole 22. In at least one embodiment the cleats 30 are attached to arigid structure which itself is attached to the sole 22.

The leg protective structure 40 extends up from the shoe 20 from a lowerend 44 to an upper end 46. The leg protective structure 40 has agenerally cylindrical form between the lower end 44 and upper end 46. Afront side 48 lays over a shin of a wearer when the assembly 10 is worn.At least a portion of the leg protective structure 40 is in the form ofa tubular layer 45 formed of flexible fabric material and typicallycovering a majority of the leg protective structure and a majority ofthe leg of the wearer above the shoe 20.

The flexible junction 42 defines a joint between the leg protectivestructure 40 at the lower end 44 and the shoe 20 above the ankle support26 and heel 28. This flexible junction 42 provides affixation betweenthe leg protective structure 40 and the shoe 20, while also maintainingflexibility so that the ankle joint of the wearer can properly function.In one embodiment a seam 43 (FIGS. 8 and 14) is provided between theshoe 20 and the leg protective structure 40 at this flexible junction42. In other embodiments, a seamless transition is provided at theflexible junction 42 with flexible fabrics or other materials seamlesslytransitioning between the shoe 20 and the leg protective structure 40 atthe flexible junction 42.

In one embodiment the flexible junction 42 completely circumscribes thelower end 44 of the protective structure 40. In other embodiments, theflexible junction 42 is discontinuous with portions of the flexiblejunction 42 affixed between the lower end 44 and the shoe 20, and otherportions of the flexible junction 42 open and facilitating greaterflexibility. In one embodiment attached portions of the flexiblejunction 42 are on lateral sides of the lower end 44 and thus act likestirrups, with forward and rearward portions either open or attachedwith fabric or other flexible elements which exhibit a greater degree offlexibility than the stirrup portions, to facilitate flexing of the footrelative to the leg about the ankle joint.

A forward portion of the leg protective structure 40 at the lower end 44can optionally extend inboard of the opening in the top of the shoe 20to act as a tongue for the shoe 20. In other embodiments the shoe 20 istongueless. In still other embodiments the tongue is provided within theshoe 20 which is discontinuous with the leg protective structure 40, sothat an upper end of the tongue can be grabbed and positioned separatefrom the leg protective structure 40.

The assembly 10 can be worn in a couple of different ways. In oneembodiment a sock is first worn over the foot and leg of the wearer(FIG. 2). The assembly 10 is then donned over the socks. The socks thusextends all the way into the toe 29 of the shoe 20 on the foot of thewearer. In another embodiment, the assembly 10 is worn without a sock S(FIG. 3). Most preferably in this embodiment, interior surfaces of theassembly 10 are provided with a flexible and somewhat resilient paddedlayer acting somewhat like a sock built into the interior of theassembly 10. Such a sock-like liner preferably extends all the way downto the toe 29 of the shoe 20 in a seamless fashion for maximum comfort.As an alternative, such an interior surface can be made up of separatestructures on various different portions of the leg protective structure40 and the shoe 20 which work together to perform a sock-like function.In this embodiment, for the assembly 10 to be worn without a separatesock S (FIG. 3) most preferably fabrics and other materials from whichthe assembly 10 are formed are selected so that they can be washablewithin a typical washing machine as a single unit, or to be removablefor washing.

Whether the assembly 10 is worn with a sock S (FIG. 2) or without a sock(FIG. 3) the assembly 10 can include a shin guard element 50 therein.This shin guard element 50 typically includes a forward rigid shell anda rearward pad. A contour of the shin guard is provided with a size andshape so that it can mold somewhat over the shin of the leg L of thewearer on a front side 48 of the leg protective structure 40. In atleast one embodiment the shin guard element 50 only includes the shell,with padding functions of the shin guard element 50 provided by otherportions of the leg protective structure 40, such as a flexible tubularlayer 45 positioned inboard of the shin guard element 50.

In FIG. 2 a variation of the assembly 10 is depicted where the shinguard element 50 extends at least partially out of the front side 48 ofthe leg protective structure 40. In this embodiment, the shin guardelement 50 could be covered by a thin layer of fabric, such as to ensurethat soccer league rules that may require that all shin guard hardelements be covered by a sock or other flexible fabric layer, besatisfied. As an alternative, tape or other structures could be providedover an outer surface of such an exteriorly positioned shin guardelement 50 (FIG. 2).

In FIG. 3 a variation of the assembly 10 is depicted where the shinguard element 50 is embedded inboard of an outer portion of the legprotective structure 40 so that the shin guard element 50 is hiddenwithin the leg protective structure 40. Such a shin guard element 50could be on an interior surface of the leg protective structure 40 orcould be embedded within inner and outer tubular layers 45.

In FIG. 4 a variation is shown where the shin guard element 50 is notaffixed to the leg protective structure 40 or the assembly 10, butrather is provided as a separate item removably attachable to theassembly 10 and including a sleeve 52 on a rearward side thereof toassist in holding the shin guard element 50 over the front side 48 ofthe leg protective structure 40. In such an embodiment as that depictedin FIG. 4, it is also conceivable that no such shin guard element 50would be utilized and that the leg protective structure 40 would actlike a sock on an upper end of the shoe 20.

In such a configuration, the assembly 10 could be utilized without anyshin guard element, such as for a soccer player who is playing thegoalie position or for a soccer player playing in a league which doesnot require the wearing of shin guards, or where the leg protectivestructure 40 in the form of merely flexible tubular layer 45 fabric issufficiently thick or protective to function somewhat like a shin guard,or where a shin guard plate can merely be removably inserted into aninterior of the leg protective structure 40 and removed therefrom andheld in place by the leg protective structure as desired by the user.Thus, in these variations of the assembly 10, the leg protectivestructure 40 can function as a sock, or can function as a shin guard andassociated shin guard positioning structure, with a sock worn separatelybeneath, or can function as a combined sock and shin guard integratedtogether into a single unit.

In each of these embodiments, the leg protective structure 40 providesat least either the sock function or the shin guard function, if notboth. The leg protective structure 40 also keeps the leg protectivestructure 40 joined to the shoe 20 through the flexible junction 42 tofacilitate flexing of the ankle joint between the foot and leg L of thewearer.

In one embodiment, the assembly 10 can be fitted with electronics forvarious purposes. For instance, equipment can be built into the assembly10 to allow the wearer to be tracked in position. Such tracking could beused to find an abducted child or to track the position of the wearer ona soccer field for training and other purposes. The position detectingelectronics could interact with a smart phone app or other computer sothat visual depictions of position can be studied. Distances traveledcan also be calculated.

Other electronics could include sensors, such as sensors that detectwhere and how hard a soccer ball has been struck. If correctly struck apositive feedback sound or light could be generated as a reward. Ifincorrectly struck a negative feedback sound or light could begenerated.

The assembly 10 can be itself designed with logos such as team logos, orcolors to match that of a team. In one embodiment, a slip pocket orpockets are provided on an exterior of the assembly 10. Cards, panels orother planar elements ca be selected or custom manufactured, or printedto fit in the pockets and display outwardly. Such a configuration allowsthe assembly 10 to have a customizable appearance for aesthetics or todesignate a team affiliation.

With particular reference to FIGS. 5-8, details of an alternate assembly60 which distinguish this alternate assembly 60 from the assembly 10(FIG. 1) are described. The alternate assembly 60 features a legprotective structure 40 which can be opened and closed in a fashionother than merely utilizing elastic and flexible structures, so that theleg protective structure 40 and shoe 20 can be slipped onto a wearer'sfoot and leg. In particular, a zipper closure 70 is provided. Thiszipper closure 70 extends between a lower tip 72 and an upper tip 74with a zipper structure 76 provided to zip open and closed the legprotective structure 40.

A user would zip the zipper closure 70 open, then put on the alternativeassembly 60, and then close the zipper closure 70 to complete thedonning of the alternative assembly 60. As with the assembly 10 (FIGS.1-4), variations can be provided including having a shin guard element50 incorporated therein. In the embodiments shown the shin guard element50 is at least partially visible on an exterior of the alternativeassembly 60. However, this shin guard element 50 could be covered by atleast one layer so that it is embedded inboard of the leg protectivestructure 40 or can otherwise be configured as disclosed above withrespect to the assembly 10 (FIGS. 1-4). Furthermore, the alternativeassembly 60 can be worn over a sock S (FIG. 6) or worn without a sock(FIG. 7).

FIG. 8 depicts a variation of the alternative assembly 60 which includesa laces cover 23 for covering the laces 24 of the shoe 20. This lacescover 23 can be incorporated into any of the embodiments of theinvention depicted herein. A seam 43 is also depicted between the shoe20 and the leg protective structure 40 in one embodiment, at theflexible junction 42 between the shoe 20 and the leg protectivestructure 40.

With particular reference to FIGS. 9-12, details of a second alternativeassembly 80 are described, according to an alternative embodiment. Theassembly 80 includes a shoe 20 featuring hook and loop fastener straps25 rather than laces 24 (FIG. 1) to tighten the upper of the shoe 20onto a foot of the wearer. Furthermore, the leg protective structure 40in the second alternative assembly 80 features a substantiallyhorizontally extending opening which can be selectively opened andclosed, but with a closure other than the zipper closure 70 (FIG. 5). Inparticular, the second alternative assembly 80 features a hook and loopclosure 90 formed of a forward flap 92 and a rearward flap 94. Theseflaps 92, 94 are configured so that they overlap relative to each other,such as with the rearward flap 94 outside of the forward flap 92.Surfaces of the flap 92, 94 which come into contact with each otherinclude a fastener thereon. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 9 and10, this fastener is in the form of a hook and loop closure 90 with onehalf of a hook and loop fastening system on the forward flap 92 and acomplemental other half of the hook and loop fastening system on therearward flap 94.

A user places a foot in the shoe 20 and leg L in the leg protectivestructure 40. Then the flaps 92, 94 are tightly overlapped with the hookand loop closure 90 coupling together to securely hold the legprotective structure 40 on the leg L of the wearer. Simultaneously, ashin guard and other portions of the leg protective structure 40 arebrought into the precise position where desired for optimal performanceof the leg protective structure 40. While hook and loop closure 90details are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, other forms of fasteners could besubstituted for the hook and loop closure 90, including buttons, hooks,laces and other fastening elements, to secure the leg protectivestructure in a closed configuration wrapping around the leg L of thewearer.

The particular details of the leg protective structure 40 for the secondalternative assembly 80 can be any of those described above in otherembodiments. The second alternative assembly 80 particularly shows oneconfiguration for supporting a shin guard therein in the form of a pouch100 with a removable element 55 acting as a shin guard which can fitwithin this pouch 100. The pouch 100 is particularly configured with anopen upper edge 102 into which the pouch 100 can be accessed. A tab 104extends up from the upper edge 102 in the embodiment shown with hook andloop fastener elements 106 on the tab 104 and a complemental hook andloop fastener 108 on an inside of the front side 48 of the legprotective structure 40, to allow for selective closing of the tab 104and selective closing of the pouch 100. Hook and loop fasteners or otherfasteners can also be used directly on the shin guard removable element55 to hold it in place.

A geometry of the pouch 100 is selected to closely approximate aperimeter of the removable element 55 so that the removable element 55is securely held in place when placed within the pouch 100 (by slidingalong arrow A of FIG. 12 into or out of the pouch 100). With such aremovable element 55, shin guards of different configurations can besubstituted for each other and potentially shin guards can be removed,such as during washing. Furthermore, the overall assembly 80 can beutilized without the removable element 55 if desired.

In a third alternative assembly 110 (FIGS. 13 and 14) an embodiment isdepicted which is similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 1 featuringthe assembly 10, except that the shoe 20 still features hook and loopfastener straps 25 and also a cut out rear 120 is provided opposite thefront side 48 (FIG. 1).

In FIG. 13 a shin guard element 50 is shown inside of the front side 48of the leg protective structure 40. The shin guard element 50 couldmerely be held in place by the leg protective structure 40, having asomewhat elastic character, or could be fastened to the inner surface ofthe front side 48, such as through a hook and loop fastener arrangementor other fastening elements to hold the shin guard element 50 inposition, either permanently or temporarily. As another alternative, aperimeter of the shin guard element 50 can be sewn or otherwise affixedto the leg protective structure 40 in a permanent fashion.

Typically, the third alternative assembly 110 is worn over a sock S upona leg L and the cut out rear 120 is provided to increase lightness ofthe third alternative assembly 110, and to some extent make it easier toinsert the wearer's foot into the shoe 20. In FIG. 14 a seam 43 is shownillustrating how the flexible junction 42 between the leg protectivestructure 40 and the shoe 20 can be attached through a seam 43, as analternative to a seamless configuration (FIG. 13).

Materials for forming the various elements of the assemblies 10, 60, 80,110 can be taken from lists of materials typically used in shoes and forelastic sleeves. Examples include polycarbonate urethane (PCU),neoprene, canvas, leather, synthetic leather and synthetic fibersincluding polyester, nylon, rayon, spandex and other materials withvarying degrees of elasticity built into the material or added byattaching elastic elements. These materials can be combined on variousportions of the shoe 20 and leg protective structure 40 to provideoptimal performance.

This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of theinvention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thusdescribed the invention in this way, it should be apparent that variousdifferent modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. Whenstructures are identified as a means to perform a function, theidentification is intended to include all structures which can performthe function specified. When structures of this invention are identifiedas being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadlyto include the structures being coupled directly together or coupledtogether through intervening structures. Such coupling could bepermanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashionwhich allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while stillproviding some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleated soccer shoe with leg protectivestructure, comprising in combination: a shoe including a heel opposite atoe and a foot supporting interior; a plurality of cleats extendingbelow the shoe, at least one of said cleats closer to said heel and atleast one of said cleats closer to said toe; a leg protective structureextending from a lower end to an upper end, said lower end affixed tosaid shoe through a flexible junction, allowing a foot within the shoeto flex relative to a leg within the leg protective structure about anankle joint; and said leg protective structure including at least oneflexible tubular layer for covering portions of a lower leg of a wearer.2. The soccer shoe of claim 1 wherein said flexible tubular layerincludes a sock built into said leg protective structure and extendinginto said interior of said shoe.
 3. The soccer shoe of claim 1 whereinsaid leg protective structure includes a front side with a shin guardtherewith.
 4. The soccer shoe of claim 3 wherein said shin guard isbuilt into said flexible tubular layer.
 5. The soccer shoe of claim 4wherein said shin guard is located inboard of at least portions of saidflexible tubular layer, such that said shin guard is covered by saidflexible tubular layer.
 6. The soccer shoe of claim 4 wherein said shinguard is at least partially on an exterior of said flexible tubularlayer such that said shin guard is at least partially uncovered andvisible from an exterior of said flexible tubular layer.
 7. The soccershoe of claim 3 wherein said leg protective structure includes a pouchon an interior thereof, said pouch having an open top, said pouch sizedto receive said shin guard therein, and said shin guard located withinsaid pouch.
 8. The soccer shoe of claim 3 wherein said flexible tubularlayer includes a sock built into said leg protective structure andextending into said interior of said shoe.
 9. The soccer shoe of claim 1wherein said flexible junction includes a seam joining said lower end ofsaid leg protective structure to said shoe.
 10. The soccer shoe of claim1 wherein said flexible junction includes outer continuous at leastpartially flexible fabric covering both sides of said junction above andbelow said junction.
 11. The soccer shoe of claim 1 wherein said legprotective structure includes a pouch on a front side of an interiorthereof, said pouch having an at least partially open upper end, saidpouch including a removable shin guard within said pouch.
 12. The soccershoe of claim 1 wherein a substantially rigid shin guard element isincluded over an exterior of said leg protective structure adjacent afront side of said leg protective structure, said shin guard including aflexible sleeve forming a circuit, said sleeve sized to reside outsideof said leg protective structure, said sleeve holding said shin guard tosaid leg protective structure on said front side of said leg protectivestructure.
 13. A method for providing footwear including a shin guard,including the steps of: identifying an assembly including a shoe with aheel opposite a toe and a foot supporting interior within the shoe, aplurality of cleats extending below the shoe, at least one of the cleatscloser to the heel and at least one of the cleats closer to the toe, aleg protective structure extending from a lower end to an upper end, thelower end affixed to the shoe through a flexible junction which allowsthe foot within the shoe to flex relative to a leg within the legprotective structure about an ankle joint, the leg protective structureincluding at least one flexible tubular layer for covering portions of alower leg of a wearer; and putting the combined shoe and leg protectivestructure upon a foot and leg of a wearer.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein said putting step is preceded by a step of donning a sock overthe leg and foot of the wearer.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein saididentifying step includes the flexible tubular layer including a sockbuilt into the leg protective structure and extending into an interiorof the shoe.
 16. A cleated soccer shoe and sock combination, comprisingin combination: a shoe including a heel opposite a toe and a footsupporting interior; a plurality of cleats extending below the shoe, atleast one of said cleats closer to said heel and at least one of saidcleats closer to said toe; a leg protective structure extending from alower end to an upper end, said lower end affixed to said shoe through aflexible junction, allowing a foot within the shoe to flex relative to aleg within the leg protective structure about an ankle joint; and saidleg protective structure including a sock on an inboard surface thereofextending from said leg protective structure down into said interior ofsaid shoe.
 17. The cleated shoe of claim 16 wherein said leg protectivestructure includes a front side with a shin guard therein.
 18. Thecleated shoe of claim 17 wherein said shin guard is built into saidsock.
 19. The cleated shoe of claim 17 wherein said leg protectivestructure includes a pouch on an interior thereof, said pouch having anopen top, said pouch sized to receive said shin guard therein, and saidshin guard located within said pouch.
 20. The cleated shoe of claim 16wherein said sock is continuous to a closed end within said interior ofsaid shoe at said toe of said shoe.